Bellingham rents are 71% higher than 11 years ago. A local initiative would ban algorithmic software landlords use to artificially inflate prices.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham renters are paying an average of $2,275 a month — 14% above the national average and 71% more than they paid 11 years ago — and some advocates say a shadowy pricing technology is partly to blame.
The practice, known as algorithmic rent fixing, involves landlords using third-party software to coordinate and artificially inflate rental prices. A Biden administration study found the practice cost American renters $3.8 billion in 2023.
Cleveland Harris II knows firsthand how brutal the Bellingham rental market can be.
“I’ve couch surfed a few times. I’ve lived in a few closets over the years,” he said.
Harris was eventually forced to move nearly 20 miles outside of Bellingham to find affordable housing. Now he’s helping lead a push to ban algorithmic rent fixing in the city.
“It also would be joining with a few other cities and counties in our state and around the country showing that this kind of technology being used this way is illegal,” he said.
Initiative 26-01 would prohibit two or more landlords from entering into an agreement to establish rental prices, ban the use of paid algorithmic coordinating services and establish whistleblower protections for tenants and employees. It would also allow the city to fine landlords found in violation.
Seattle passed a similar law last year. Harris hopes the momentum continues.
“When they see that technology isn’t being used here, some folks may not use that technology in other places, as well,” he said.
Community First Whatcom is collecting signatures to place the initiative on the November ballot. The group says it is confident it will gather more than the 3,500 signatures needed to do so.
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